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12:35pm: KATTER'S Australian Party president Max Menzel has thanked Clive Palmer for his public support of Ray Hopper, the Member for Condamine.

Mr Hopper joined Katter's Australian Party shortly after Mr Palmer resigned from the LNP.

"I want to thank Clive Palmer for his public support for Ray," Mr Menzel said.

"Ray has made a courageous decision and will no doubt face a campaign of intimidation and innuendo from elements of the party he left."

"Clive Palmer, likewise, took a courageous position and left the LNP to defend the principles he stands for."

"It is very pleasing to see that Clive Palmer, who has contributed so much to Queensland, publicly supports Ray and the decision he made."

"On behalf of Katter's Australian Party, I would like to thank Clive Palmer."

11:51am: MINING Magnate and former Liberal National Party member Clive Palmer says Condamine MP Ray Hopper's decision to quit the LNP took rare political courage.

Mr Hopper defected from the LNP on Saturday and joined Katter's Australia Party.

Professor Palmer said Ray Hopper would go down in history as a good man who had taken the first step in re-establishing Queensland as the dynamic state it once was.

Mr Hopper, who was voted in as an independent 11 years ago and then joined the National Party a year later, announced on Saturday night he would be defecting from the LNP. He said his former party had abandoned rural communities.

"Ray Hopper is a true leader who respects others, listens to his electorate and stands as a true beacon of integrity," Professor Palmer said.

"Campbell Newman says he doesn't care how many state members follow Mr Hopper's lead and defect from the LNP.

"That does not surprise me. He doesn't care about the LNP or about the people of Queensland or anything other than himself.

"He will have to care however when the exodus of MPs starts and his leadership is on the line.

"Political courage is rare in politics. The ability to stand-up and accept responsibility as a parliamentarian with dignity, going against the tide and newspaper editorials because you know it's right, is not easy, but Mr Hopper has done exactly that.

"A person who displays this courage isn't loyal just to the people who voted for him in his electorate but the political organisation he represents.''